‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Has ‘Completely Different Point of View,’ Says Brent Spiner

Even as precious few details of Bryan Fuller’s CBS Star Trek: Discovery have been made clear, it stands to reason that Fuller has in mind a different take on the Trek universe than the five series that wore it out in the first place. Next Generation star Brent Spiner now confirms as much, calling Fuller’s take “a completely different point of view,” as well answering if we can expect a Data cameo of some kind.

Speaking with TVLine, Spiner acknowledged conversations with Bryan Fuller after the Star Trek 50th anniversary panel at Comic-Con 2016, but that “I’m not sure if I’d want to be a part of it, having done, at this point, 180-some hours of Star Trek.” Naturally, Spiner wasn’t one to give away any specific details of Fuller’s vision for the franchise’s TV return, but at least offered:

Bryan comes at it from a completely different point of view than a lot of people who have created Star Trek in the past, all of them being, by the way, very bright and creative people. Bryan comes from a much more emotional place — from the heart, really. And, at this point, that’s a nice, refreshing way to go with it.

One wonders what exactly that might mean, given Fuller’s own extensive history writing on past Star Trek series, but the promise of heavy-serialization could reflect a 13-episode arc borne more of personal stakes than exploratory missions. It also remains to be seen when in the franchise Discovery might take place, with recent rumors suggesting a period before Kirk and Spock’s original series adventures.

Shooting in Toronto this fall, the new 13-episode Star Trek: Discovery is officially said to return to the timeline previously rebooted by J.J. Abrams’ film series, as well to be “heavily serialized,” akin to a novel, more-so than an episodic nature.

Bryan Fuller will headline the new streaming iteration of Star Trek as co-creator and executive producer, while Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer has also joined alongside Gene Roddenberry’s son Rod, fan-favorite Voyager novel alum Kirsten Beyer, franchise vet Joe Menosky and Heroes writer Aron Coleite. So reads the initial synopsis for the series, which debuts on CBS in January 2017 before moving to All-Access:

The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Additional details will emerge soon, but what should we expect from the new streaming Star Trek: Discovery?

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